Hi Long Beach. Things are a weird mix of sedate and excited around here today (and try as we might, we can’t make it over the hump). Post-RSD feels, just beginning to deal with the death of Prince, building the best schedule of in-stores we’ve ever had, thinking about festivals (SAM, FYF, Folk Revival, MTG) and trying to find our place at each…Anyway, in some semblance of order I’ll just go for it;

Prince. We can’t even process. To say he was a hero would be a magnificent understatement. 2016 continues to suck in the saying goodbye to our heroes department. I watched Purple Rain at the Art last night and it helped. If you’re hurting I recommend a communal cure.

RSD – It was great. Hopefully you were able to get what you were looking for, got to see Watt and/or Brett Dennen play, and had a chinwag with Al Jourgensen. It was a whirlwind. Thanks to all who came out, or sent a good thought our way when you saw it was trending on facebook.

Festivals – We’re still figuring these out, but it’s gonna be an amazingly musical summer, so brace yourselves.

In-stores – There are a bunch below, and a bunch more in the wings. Many will sell out.

That’s it, talk soon.

EMILY KINNEY – Live In-Store Performance

Wednesday, April 27th 7:00pm

A lot of us first encountered Emily Kinney’s musical side when she performed Tom Waits’ song Hold On on AMC’s hit television series, The Walking Dead. Emily recently released an album of original material called, “This Is War” and the response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially in areas where fans have had the chance to see her perform, where her joy in playing shines so brightly. We’re extremely excited that she will be here next Wednesday to perform and meet fans.

If you want a mix-tape setting, she would fit nicely in a mix with She & Him and Haxahatchee.

We’ve opened the guest list first come first served, but if you pick up a copy of This is War, you’ll receive priority entry, a wristband for the meet & greet, and an event poster. RSVP to 562.433.4996

PEPPER – Live In-Store Performance

Friday, April 29th 6:00pm

If you’re a Pepper fan chances are good you’re in either one of two camps; either you missed getting tickets to their sold-out show at Alex’s Bar, or you got tickets to see them at Alex’s, but you know it’s been too long, and it’s going to be over way to soon. Either way, we’re here for you.

Since the guys have a new album coming out on the 29th, and they’re already going to be in town, it would be crazy to miss the chance to have them back on our little stage for an acoustic set.

Way back we hosted Pepper in the old 2nd street location, and it was wall to wall.

With their roots in the same fertile ground that gave us Sublime, it’s little wonder that this Hawaiian trio has such a strong local connection. Ohana, their latest, has all of the familiar components, but there’s a little more juice in the rum drink this time out. Ohana is an old friend that shows up late in the day, and who, before it’s all over, has everyone dancing with a drink in their hand.

We are opening the guest list for this one with pre-order of Ohana on CD or LP. If space allows, which we aren’t anticipating, we will open the list with RSVP (free) a couple days out. If you’d like to be here, your best bet is to punch 562.433.4996 into your phone and place your pre-order.

SAM BEAM & JESCA HOOP – Live In-Store Performance

Monday, May 2nd 7:00pm

Love Letter for Fire is a collaboration between Sam Beam (aka Iron and Wine) and singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop. Love Letter for Fire features Beam and Hoop on vocals and guitar along with Robert Burger, Eyvind Kang, Glenn Kotche, Sebastian Steinberg, and Edward Rankin-Parker. Many of you will be familiar with Sam as his nom de stage, Iron and Wine, and his albums The Creek Drank The Cradle, Our Endless Numbered Days, Woman King, and The Shepherd’s Dog. Sam was a bit of a frequent rocker at the old shop, but this will be his first time in the new space. Jesca Hoop is an incredible live performer, known for her wonderfully-eclectic take on folk, rock, and electronic music. Hoop has released five albums and two EPs, including the critical favorites Hunting My Dress and The House That Jack Built. Jesca has toured and collaborated with the likes of Shearwater, Willy Mason, Blake Mills, Andrew Bird, and Elbow. This will be her first Fingerprints in-store.Their collaborative album, Love Letter for Fire, was produced, recorded and mixed by Tucker Martine (Modest Mouse, Decemberists, Neko Case), and we couldn’t be more excited to have them both here.

Sam and Jesca will also be playing at the Fonda on May 30th, and you would be crazy to miss the chance at seeing the full show. Tickets here.

We are opening the guest list for this event with pre-order of Love Letter For Fire on CD or LP beginning right now, even though it’s not actually out until Friday. Pre-order will get you priority entry and an event poster. Call 562.433.4996, or just drop in to pre-order, and we’ll get you all set.

VIOLENT FEMMES – Live In-Store Performance – **SOLD OUT**

Saturday, May 7th 12:30pm

If you were a child of the 80s, or even if you just knew any, the chances are good that somewhere you’ve got a mix disc with at least a couple of The Violent Femmes songs on it. There was a time when their heady mix of acoustic roots and punk energy was practically inescapable, and happily the songs, and more importantly, the sound, remain vital.

We Can Do Anything finds the Femmes revisiting old demos and songbooks for a fresh take on unreleased materiel from the days that gave us Blister in the Sun, Add it Up, American Music, Country Death Song, and so many more.

For their first album in 15 years, it’s almost hard to believe there’s been a break. Touring has kept them fresh and full of fire, and judging by the fact that their Orpheum show on the 7th is sold out, that freshness and fire is keeping fans in the seats. If you’d like to keep an eye out for tix to the show, watch the Orpheum’s website.

In the meantime, get to the phone or to the shop and grab a copy of We Can Do Anything to secure a spot for this very special early afternoon in-store.

Pre-order in person, or call us at 562.433.4996 to order by phone, and we’ll get you all set for what is sure to be an amazing experience.

New Releases

All Out Friday (4/15)

Jethro Tull – Aqualung (2CD/2DVD)

Forty-fifth Anniversary edition, includes scratch and sniff cards for each song, designed to heighten the full sensory experience. As you might expect, the Aqualung card is best left unscratched (and definitely unsniffed).

Candlebox – Disappearing In Airports

Surprisingly pop and radio friendly for a band whose biggest selling album came out when rock radio was a thing, and Madonna still had a record label. There are some shredders here, but this feels like a great flashback to when MTV would surprise us with a new band who was about more than just a good video.

BWB – BWB

Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, and a guy named Brown. Probably not Charles, more likely in the smooth jazz world. Norman, maybe?

Sorry, can’t get my head around this one. It’s Shakespeare, it’s a mix of music and theater, and it features Rufus Wainwright, Florence Welch (Machine), Martha Wainwright (Sister/nutter), Helena Bonham Carter (Actor/nutter), Carrie Fisher (Leia/nutter) William Shatner (nutter/thespian/crank) and a bunch of others who are also gloriously out there. Might be interesting if you smoke a pipe.

Har Mar Superstar – Best Summer Ever

AKA Har Mar’s musical history of the world, this is his “Best Of” album, and it’s loaded with dance floor fillers from the 50s to the 80s (well, if they’d been released back then).

Third Power – Believe

The vinyl came out, and sold out, on Record Store Day, but if you’re a fan of early Detriot rock, in the classic, dangerous, garage vein, you might need one of these. They would have sandwiched nicely between Jimi and Cream.

Guns and bitches, bling and MTV bullshit, mix it up with some cool fresher ideas, for a record that will likely bum out the purists and the old-school hip-hop fans.

Dalek – Asphalt for Eden

Newly reformed, Dalek is back. Once they were described as a mix of Public Enemy and MBV, and while it’s close on the sonic spectrum it doesn’t cover the darkness that runs through it.

Lush – Blind Spot

The new ep, includes 5 songs just in time for your upcoming jones after seeing/ hearing/hearing about their performance at Coachella. Bill Evans – Some Other Time: Lost Session from The Black Forest

Sublime late 60s recording, featuring bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette, and available for the first time ever. This project was seemingly shelved due to the release of the trio’s Montreux Jazz Festival release, which was recorded within days of this session. If you recognize the names, it’s for good reason, these are the guys who backed up Miles on Kind Of Blue. Limited vinyl still available. Guided By Voices – Please Be Honest

Recalling the lo-fi and tight songs of Vampire on Titus, this is Bob at his best. That said, to be honest, we need a bigger shelf for our “G” albums.Blue Man Group – Three

Hard not to think about blue balls when one thinks about Blue Man Group… Maybe thinking about Vegas would help, we have a contest going that includes tickets and a hotel room. Check in to enter.

Josh Kelley – New Lane Road

If any of these songs are about his wife being tough, or not letting him buy the Ford F-950 pick up he wants (and holy hell, this is a real thing!), you should know he’s talking about Katherine Heigl, who has a reputation for being exactly that tough.

Blue October – Home

Fruition – Labor of Love

The newest faces on the jam band scene, Fruition is a rockabilly, roadhouse, bluegrass, string, party band. It feels good, and rarely better than it does on The Meaning.

Higher Authorities – NeptuneThere’s a lot of love for this one here at the shop, partly because it’s the singer from Clinic, but mostly because it’s a bit of a killer.

New Vinyl Reissues:

Petra Haden – Sings: The Who Sell Out (Vinyl)

Captain Beefheart – The Spotlight Kid (Vinyl)

Captain Beefheart – Lick My Decals Off Baby (Vinyl)

Captain Beefheart – Clear Spot (Vinyl)

FYF Fest Tickets – On Sale Info

Tickets Available Here

In the era of festivals being all about the place and the scene, it’s positively refreshing that FYF remembers that it should be about the line-up and the talent. This year is no exception, reading down the list, I was expecting it to get soft and mushy at some point, and then I got to the line with Diiv and Wild Nothing and I just kind of gave myself over to it. If you’re feeling the same, you should know that the cheapest way to buy tickets is right down the street at your favorite little record shop.

Tickets are on sale now, and they are cash only.Social yourself silly at:

04.24.16 – Long Beach Zine Fest - Once again at MOLAA, this was a capacity event last year, so plan ahead for this one. Details05.07.16 - Bike Fest - Long Beach once again becomes the center of our cycling universe with this day long celebration of biking, racing, obstacle courses, and beer. That’s right, bikes and beers. I’m in.05.07.16 - Music Tastes Good - Long Beach’s upcoming music festival (happening 9/23-25) is doing a big dance party kick-off at the Packard, and it’s going to feature DJ sets from Adrian Younge, DJ Nobody, and Dennis Owens, which should be plenty of reason to get your groove on, but it will also be where you can hear who’s playing the big show. Register at MTG for updates.

05.21.16 - Like Totally 80s Fest - No big deal, just bands like

The Motels, Flock of Seagulls, Dramarama, Naked Eyes, Clive Farrington the original lead singer for When in Rome (UK), and Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow… you know the ones who don’t make us embarrassed about our 80s hairstyle. Tickets available here at the shop. More info.

Alan Lomax - Go and play in the fields of the Lomax – his full archive is now up online for your enjoyment.

The Rabbit - Mark Linkous’s kid brother Matt had a band in the early 2000s, and apparently Mark did some production and played some guitar on it, and it sounds like it. Anyway, after a little regrouping, they’re back to being active, and they’re talking about a release. In the meantime, check out the bandcamp stream. As long I’m talking about Mark, I’ll go ahead and post this link to an unreleased song of Mark’s that Susanna Hoffs recorded, back when they were working together.

Hoyt Axton - Keep this name in mind the next time you’re crate digging. Hoyt was an incredible songwriter, including Joy To The World (Jerimiah Was a Bullfrog), Boney Fingers, The Pusher, and the above linked No No Song, which was a hit for Ringo, but which boasts an amazing Cheech & Chong cameo on this, the original version.

Louisville Vegan Jerky - We are beyond stoked to be able to offer LVJ, if you have a little jerky-sized hole in your vegan life, you should ask for a sample the next time you’re in, it’s delish!Bruce Springsteen - All right, we were pretty sure that we didn’t want to see any hackneyed tribute/cover versions of Prince songs, but we were wrong. This is really hitting home.

Thank you for supporting small businesses, in our eyes they provide the color and excitement in any neighborhood, and our neighborhood is chock full of amazing small businesses. Some of our favorites include; Made, Lola’s Mexican, The Art Theatre, Berlin, Number 9, Olives, Cocoreno, and Congregation. More next time.